System Restore is a key computer recovery tool. If you’re experiencing a problem with your Windows computer, System Restore can help you roll back system files, program files, and registry information to a previous state. If these files have been corrupted or damaged, System Restore will replace them with good ones, solving your problem.

System Restore is an excellent tool for many of those unexpected issues. But what about those times when System Restore itself throws up an error message or doesn’t actually fix anything? With a little prior planning, you can ensure System Restore will always have your back in times of need.

1. Try an Alternative System Restore Point

First, try another System Restore point. Something may have corrupted the default restore point during the store process and, as such, won’t boot. Using an alternative point works for a wide range of restore issues.

Type recovery in the Start Menu search bar and select the best match. Select Open System Restore. As you can see in the image below, I only have one System Restore point, meaning I could run into some trouble if this one throws up any issues.

However, if your System Restore window has more than one point to choose from, select one before the most recent. You may have to click Show more restore points (not shown above) to see all of your backups. After selecting a restore point, press Next, and follow the on-screen instructions.

Ideally, this will solve your problem. However, if you see an error message—or if System Restore performs a restore operation that doesn’t solve your problem—continue reading the next section.

Press Windows Key + R to open Run. Type msconfig and press Enter. Open the Boot tab. Check the box alongside Safe Mode. If you require Networking, select it from beneath. Once you hit Apply, and close the System Configuration window, you’ll receive a prompt to Restart your system. (Note that your system will continually boot into Safe Mode unless you uncheck the System Configuration option. Repeat the same process within Safe Mode once you’re sure you’ve fixed the issue.)

Restart your PC. Press F8 during the boot process to enter Safe Mode. This is a tried and tested method. However, if you use Windows Fast Startup feature, spamming F8 will not work.

Booting Into Safe Mode in Windows 7

The Windows 7 Safe Mode boot process is very similar to the latest version of the operating system. That is, with some slight differences.

Press Windows Key + R to open Run. Type msconfig and press Enter. Open the Boot tab. Check the box alongside Safe Mode. If you require Networking, select it from beneath. Once you hit Apply and close the System Configuration window, you’ll receive a prompt to Restart your system. (Note that your system will continually boot into Safe Mode unless you uncheck the System Configuration option. Repeat the same process within Safe Mode once you’re sure you’ve fixed the issue.)

Restart your PC. Press F8 during the boot process to open the Windows Advanced Boot Options menu. Select Safe Mode or an alternative Safe Mode configuration such as with Networking or with Command Prompt.

After Booting Into Safe Mode

If System Restore works in Safe Mode, it is a clear indicator that something, likely a program or service, is impeding it during a regular boot. Antivirus settings can at times cause System Restore to misbehave (for instance, Norton’s Product Tamper Protection is a well-known culprit).

Alternatively, a virus or malware infection could be creating an issue. In this case, you’ll need to scan your system using an up-to-date antivirus program.

3. Configure Disk Space Usage

If you still cannot get System Restore to run properly, try adjusting the hard disk space allocation. It might have run out without informing you (a classic Windows move).

Configuring Disk Space in Windows 8, 8.1, and 10

Let’s check what is going on with your System Restore allocation. Type system protection into the Start Menu search bar, and select Create a system restore point. Select Configure. Check your Disk Space Usage, and increase if it is less than or equal to 300 MB.

Configuring Disk Space in Windows 7

Windows 7 takes us on a slightly longer route. Open your Start Menu, right-click Computer and select Properties. Select System Properties from the left-hand column. Under Protection Settings, select Configure.

Check your current restore point storage allocation. Windows 7 doesn’t need as much disk space as Windows 8, 8.1, or 10. But if you have the space to spare, as many modern hard drives do, consider increasing from the default 3 percent to over 5 percent.

Clearing Out Old System Restore Points

You can delete old System Restore points. Ultimately, System Restore updates your System Restore points as it goes, replacing the oldest one each time. (This is why some people allocate lots of space to System Restore.) That said, if you do want to delete your System Restore points, I’ll show you how to do it without wrecking everything.

Windows 8, 8.1, and 10 users should type disk clean into the Start Menu search bar. Right-click the best match, and select Run as administrator. Select C: as the drive you’d like to clean, then press OK. Disk Clean-up will calculate the amount of space available for cleaning.

Open the More Options tab. Under System Restore and Shadow Copies, select Clean-up. You’ll meet the following message:

Press Delete if you want to proceed. This method keeps your last System Restore point in place, whereas hitting Delete on the System Protection panel will eliminate all of them.

Windows 7 users should type disk clean into the Start Menu search bar and select the first option. In the Disk Cleanup panel, select Clean up system files. This adds a new More Options tab (after a moment or two). Select Clean up… under System Restore and Shadow Copies.

This will delete all but your last System Restore point. Press Delete if you’d like to proceed.

4. Ensure System Restore Points Are Being Created

This won’t entirely help solve your current issue, but will absolutely help you next time. Are System Restore Points turned on? Are they being regularly and automatically created?

Windows 8, 8.1, and 10

Type rstrui in the Start Menu search bar and select the corresponding entry. Press Next when prompted, and you’ll see a list of your current System Restore points.

Nothing there? You’ll need to head back to the System Protection options we used earlier. Type system protection into the Start Menu search bar and select Create a system restore point. Select Configure. Under Restore Settings, make sure Turn on system protection is checked.

Windows 7

The Windows 7 version is minutely different. Head to Computer > System Protection. On the System Protection tab, select Configure. Make sure Restore system settings and previous versions of files is checked. Apply and OK.

Windows 8 Refresh featured evolved into Windows 10 Reset with Keep My Files. They perform the same restoration process.

Press Windows Key + I and head to Update & security > Recovery. Under Reset this PC, hit Get started. Select either Keep my files or Remove everything. As we just want to refresh your system, select the former.

If you have installation mediaor a system repair disc, insert the disc or USB drive into your PC. Start your system, and select Press any key to boot from CD. If you’re using a USB drive, there is a chance you’ll have to specifically choose to boot from a USB drive. Some manufacturers have a specific function key to enter a quick boot option menu, while others require you to enter the BIOS. Check your manufacturer specifications.

When you arrive at the Welcome to Startup screen, select Repair Install, and follow the on-screen instructions.

How to Fix System Restore and Recover Your System

It can be an excruciating moment when System Restore fails. Don’t panic. One of the methods listed above will coax System Restore back into life, and with it, the rest of your ailing system. Remember:

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June 29, 2017 at 11:51 pm

In my repeated experiences, it's not that Restore wouldn't run - it did - but it's been a "hit or miss" whether the restoration did any good or not! I've found regular and repeated inconsistencies in Win XP, 7 and now 10. A few times, Restore saved the day; more often, no.

While I still have Restore feature turned on, I no longer rely on it. Using a third-party system image and restore is so much more reliable - and almost as quick. Macrium (free version) is what I've been using and I highly recommend it.

Great ideas, IF you can get Windows to boot.
But what if System Restore doesn't fix the issue and no restore points or image files are available? (Booting in Safe Mode also resulted in unsuccessful System Repair attempt)

Thank you so much for solving my problem. I have been trying to reset my windows laptop since 3 days. Finally your solution found effective for me.
__________________
Helen Greene: http://www.osamresume.com/

Your the greatest! Other sites want you to download install and run a fix tool for it. No need at all, I discovered that because of one of these tools I got a virus that I successfully removed with Malwarebyt Anti malware that disable, among other things, my ability to restore. It had changed my restore options to: Turn off system protection and max usage to 0 (zero)! It was a very hard and sneaky malware virus that removed also bookmarks, phone numbers from my contacts in Hotmail, several files and explorer behavior. I'm happy that I removed it and fixed all damage caused. I believe, thank to you now the last issue with restore. Thank you so much and lets be carefull out there! I only trust sites that show you step by step what you can do and never ever will I use any fix tolls available out there. Good chance they have pretty nasty malware in it!

My HP Presarion CQ60-615DX with original windows 7 home edition was corrupted can boot up... I called Microsoft for help and they asked me to use a home 7 edition from other computer to reinstall it then recover the system from the original D:/recovery... make the story short... after install windows 7 and now my computer is not genuine any more.

I called Microsoft back and they transferred me to Microsoft in Thailand. After troubleshooting with them for hours... they want me to purchase a new windows 10 for $100 for my old computer. I think this is a bad deal....please help! k8288@126.com

I need to tell the world! I used SR 4 times,various dates. Nothing worked,nothing would download. Mozilla wouldnt open,only IE.
So, I tried de fragging using logistics defragger. THEN I ran System Restore.. Presto! it worked!...old photos that had been deleted were back!

I dont know what I had- it wouldnt even let me do ANY thing including desktop background- just blue. This went on for a week getting worse by the day.

I havent read anything like this on the net. I cant get over it. I thought this Dell was dead and I was screwed.
A miracle!

It shows '' there was unexpected error in property page
The volume shadow copy service used by system restore is not working
.for more information view the event log (0*81000202)
Please close property page and try again"

I stumbled across this page, looking for solution to a problem. I was doing a restore to an earlier date, and it did not restore. I tried another date, and it did not work. I tried 3 different dates. I uninstalled my Microsoft Essentials, and that did not work. I tried in safe mode, and that did not work. I am at a loss on how to solve this problem, without doing a full recovery. Can someone help me?